Articles

Ohio will spend $88.5 million improving its campgrounds and parks in the next two years, state officials announced Wednesday at the Indian Lake State Park.

Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, right, talks with a resident Wednesday after an event at the Indian Lake State Park campground announcing more than $88 million investments in the Ohio state park system. (EXAMINER PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST)

Indian Lake’s facilities are slated to see improved pull-through camper sites with upgraded electricity and full water and waste hookups, new shower facilities and heating and air conditioning for a community building.

An $8 million project to repair the spillway is set to get started in 2015, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director James Zehringer said, but a timeline on the other work has yet to be set.

ODNR’s Deputy Director Glen Cobb said planning and designing the improvements will take place first and then contracts will have to be awarded for the work. Larger scale projects will require bids.

Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina, who worked with Gov. John Kasich and other legislators to help carve out $260 million in the state’s two-year capital budget for Ohio’s park system, reiterated the 10-year plan to improve park infrastructures is possible because of fiscally responsible spending and tough decisions.

He said Ohio parks are about $500 million behind on infrastructure improvements and maintenance.

“This is a quality of life issue,” the Ohio Senate president said. “It’s also an economic issue.”